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Tall in the Saddle
(1944),
Director: Edwin L. Marin, rated Approved
Romantic
thriller of a lone wolf and his pistol packin' spitfire!
  Starring:
John Wayne, Ella Raines, Ward Bond, Gabby Hayes, Audrey Long,
Elisabeth Risdon, Donald Douglas, Paul Fix, Russell Wade, Emory
Parnell, Raymond Hatton, Harry Woods
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"I like grumpy old
cusses. Hope to live long enough to be one."
- Rocklin
Why watch this?
The Duke solves a mystery in this fine Western.
Plot Summary:
A tough, independent cowboy named Rocklin arrives in a New
Mexico town to take a foreman job, only to discover that the man
who hired him has been murdered. He take a job working for a
nearby ranch while investigating the murder, which is tied to a
plot to steal a young woman's inheritance. Throughout the
mystery, Rocklin finds himself entangled in a complicated
romantic rivalry between the gentle heir and a fiery, spirited
ranch owner.
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Dad's Preview:
I generally dislike the movie critic's phrase, "Just
take it for what it is." It is intended to convey that
the film in question is simplistic and thus lacking any
subtle nuance or layered complexity. For this Western
film, that phrase completely applies. Don't get me
wrong, I like this film, and the plot is anything but
simple. Taken for what it is, I was completely
entertained. It's an easy watch. Wayne, and his
character's calm demeanor, really controls a scene. He's
direct, purposeful, and does not have the need to prove
himself - the ideal Western hero archetype. Of course,
there are some standard oater tropes: a stagecoach race,
a murder to solve, corruption at the highest levels.
Yet, Wayne elevates it as a whole and that's fine by me. |
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RKO Radio Pics,
Avernus Productions; RKO Radio Pictures |
